Hands down my favourite pub in London. Go for the day.

I worked at the Barbican for several years and during that time became very fond of its architecture. One of my favourite spaces within the centre is the conservatory, a giant tropical garden in the middle of a concrete city.

Just above the Dorfman Theatre lobby at the National Theatre, is the entrance to the high-level walkway, a public walkway that overlooks the National Theatre props and scenic workshop. It's free and is a unique chance to get a glimpse of what happens backstage. I love popping in when I'm on the south bank, as you get a completely different sight each time, depending on which production the workshops are working on at the time.

A station, a stop or two away from London sits a shop that is only open once or twice a year – its specialty are books but it also sells things.

A gift from Kyoto - a beautiful hidden Japanese garden in Holland Park